People who abuse or abandon animals could soon face harsher penalties, if the Nassau County district attorney gets her way. District Attorney Kathleen Rice unveiled

GLEN COVE - People who abuse or abandon animals could soon face harsher penalties, if the Nassau County district attorney gets her way. District Attorney Kathleen Rice unveiled new legislation today that would make some crimes against animals class D felonies, punishable by up to seven years in prison. The bill includes tougher penalties for repeat offenders and would create new charges, such as animal abandonment and endangering the welfare of an animal. Currently, crimes against animals fall under agricultural law. If the bill is passed, such crimes would be moved to penal law, which would give police a more active role in fighting them. The legislation has sponsors in both the state Senate and Assembly and is expected to pass.